Scenario Challenge
Emily Clark
Background: The grade levels I’m conducting this challenge with are varied. This is a
Creative Writing course that is open to all students, grades 9-12. This particular challenge
will focus on writing and performing Elizabethan sonnets, as well as give them a chance to
role play what it was like to be a struggling minstrel or actor during the Renaissance. The
students will already have read good examples of Elizabethan sonnets, with particular
attention paid to Sonnet 18. They know that sonnets are written in fourteen line iambic
pentameter, contain three quatrains and a couplet, but also present a problem in the three
quatrains, and the last couplet solves or answers whatever is proposed earlier in the sonnet.
The learning outcome of this scenario is to challenge students’ comfort with writing poetry.
Many students are prone to writing free verse, but in this class, I hope they at least attempt
the forms that are considered ‘forefathers’ to modern verse. I also want to emphasize that
there’s more to poetry than writing – it should definitely be heard, and in many cases,
animated. It’s as though minstrels were the first slam poets.
The critical skill I’m targeting is creative thinking.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
All Struggling Minstrels and Actors!
The Royal Queen Elizabeth of the Court of Sanbornia is offering substantial
commissions for any plebian who can entertain her with Song & Dance. But beware!
Your verse must be to the queen’s liking, or else, OFF WITH YOUR HEAD! (Or at the
very least, your index finger.) Of course, Her Majesty demands sonnets in the likeness of
her name, so be sure you know what elements go into an Elizabethan sonnet.
(Remember back in the Gruel Hall when your crazy Aunty Clark drilled sonnet 17 into
your heads? What was old Bill the Bard writing about? What did his sonnet look like?
How many lines did it have? How many syllables per line? How many stanzas? What
about beat? And what’s a couplet?
As if that’s not enough, The Queen prefers her entertainment in the form of minstrels or
acting troupes. Working in pairs, create a sonnet that will be performed (a little
performance dance never hurt anyone) before the Queen. Be Warned! She’s a stickler for
detail. Double, triple, quadruple check that you’ve created a sonnet to her liking. The
topic of the sonnet is your choice, but the form must be consistent. She always sits in
her throne in the back of the Great Hall, so you should practice this ditty in a clear,
loud, voice, but watch your pace and inflection, the queen despises a rushed,
monotonous sonnet. It’s also customary to greet and salute the Queen, so don’t forget
this nicety.
Each one of you must bring equal effort to the task of performing this vital sonnet. One
may sing, one may dance, both can sing and dance, but remember, this could mean the
difference between a good night’s sleep in the Queen’s guest room
or a filthy night in the gutter.
You have until the cock crows 12:00 to complete your task.
If your minstrel skills delight, you’ll perform another night.
If your poet skills collapse, your neck will take the axe!
***
Assessment: Holistic Rubric
Exceeded Quality Criteria:
 Your sonnet presentation far exceeded expectations. The reading was inspiring, the
performance engaging, and the demonstration of content knowledge highly
impressive. Comments:
Met Quality Criteria:
 Your sonnet reading and performance were very well done. You clearly understand
the technical requirements of a sonnet, including line, meter, and theme, so your
knowledge base is evident. You also articulated your sonnet well. The audience could
understand what you were saying because you spoke clearly, audibly, and with
inflection. The pace of your speech was appropriate, and your body movements,
whether dance, miming, etc., added to the presentation. Your enthusiasm and
interest was also evident. The length of time of your sonnet performance was
appropriate, and your presentation was creative and interesting, as evidenced by the
audiences’ engagement and positive feedback.
 The performance was similar in nature to the one described above, but with a few
elements that weren’t done as well. Comments:
Fell Short of the Quality Criteria:
 The presentation was similar in nature to the one described below, but with a few
elements that were well done. Comments:
 Your sonnet reading and performance fell below the criteria for quality. A clear,
articulated reading of the sonnet would have helped your presentation. Your material
would have benefited by following the specific criteria for sonnets. An inspired,
creative performance accompanying the sonnet reading would have engaged and
interested the audience. A clear voice, control of nervousness, and eye contact would
have improved the impact of the material delivery.
 The presentation was extremely poor or not attempted.